Decision Make

[Guest Pat8231]

Hi All, some of you might remember that I was an AA a year ago. After looking for the ideal AA position, I looked into getting my AD certification. I enrolled in Medical Terminology class first, got my certification in that after 8 months of schooling. Still went looking for this job I thought I really was qualified for. Guess not!! I couldn't get a job in this field. My age was a factor although it's not said directly because of age discrimination laws but it was IMPLIED!! I know I was educationally qualifed,experienced qualified but not age qualified. So, after much long and hard thought I changed fields. I still look at the want ads, considering office work instead of AA position. At least I'm in that field with hopes of being "transfered" from one department to another. Being told you aren't "qualified" to answer phones in a day care center hurt. It wasn't that, my face told it all, wrinkles and age lines!! Someone here on this website said I was "bitter" no I'm not. I am telling it like it truly is. Us oldies are discriminated against even if you think it's not happening - it is! My current job, when I was hired", I was told we need someone "mature" for this position. That I qualifed for. Thanks for letting me share this with all of you. It's been on my mind for a long time and all this is said with love. God Bless and stay well and happy. Pat 8-)

[Pennie 26]

Hi Pat, Discrimination, getting old, rejection .... it all sucks. I didnt read the post where someone said you were bitter... but as you read the posts and the replies from all the members, you begin to feel that ... somehow you know them, their typed words have personality. When I read your posts, I feel that you have a sense of urgency, like there is a burr under your saddle that you wont remove, that you wont free yourself from. We are all growing older, none of us can figure out where the time went, we lost something extremely important and we must get it back... but the truth is we havent lost anything we actually gained a few things. Embrace your age, dont fight it, there is a place for you, someplace that will accept you for who you are. You are out there fighting for you place, you're not sitting in a sea of pitty, youve got gumption, spirit ... youre inteligent .... if you think your age is keeping you from getting certain jobs, choose you where you apply better, laugh in the face of adversity. A one armed man doesnt apply to be a typist, unless he wants an uphill battle.

 

We are proud to have you as a member!

 

Pennie....

[Susan 0]

A friend of mine dealt with the same thing and it stinks! What I have found since I've been an AD is that many of the 20-something people I've hired had a very poor work ethic. They called out alot ( especially on weekends), tended to be lazy and unmotivated. I'm not making a blanket statement - don't get me wrong but that's just what I've found. I tend to look for a more mature person now and when I do find one, they're usually much more reliable.

[kristas_mom3 0]

Hi Pat!

 

I would have thought that it might actually be BEST for the residents to have an older Activity Director. Sometimes, there is a huge generation/maturity gap between the residents and young staff. In our home, some of the staff seem to think that the residents would enjoy New Age type music and Slow top hits. They really don't! They (residents) dont REMEMBER this music and cannot identify with it. But turn on OLD BLUE EYES and LOOK OUT! I would think the older the Activity Director or Events Planner..the better (within reason :-) )

 

Good Luck!